Kent wildlife rescue centre with Hollywood superstar as patron could close by end of year

Badgers rescued at Folly Wildlife Rescue
-Credit: (Image: Folly Wildlife Rescue)


Folly Wildlife Rescue charity in Tunbridge Wells which treats more than 3,500 animals each year, said it would close at the end of this year if it could not raise £250,000. It said it needed to generate more money to cover the mounting costs of rescuing injured, orphaned and distressed wild animals and birds, which it has done for more than 30 years.

The cash-strapped centre in Broadwater Forest will have to slash its operating hours from the end of this month and will shut at the end of the year "without an influx of cash,” said general manager Liz Chandler, whose parents founded the trust.

The wildlife hospital has its own veterinary and x-ray unit occupying around 800sqft on a six acre site, which costs between £20,000 and £30,000 a month to run, with costs peaking in the summer. It has launched a JustGiving fundraiser for £250,000 and by Friday afternoon, it had generated £35,177.

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The charity said every year it treated thousands of injured wildlife harmed by "some form of human activity", such as entanglement in plastic netting, fencing or fishing line, road traffic accidents, injury caused by garden machinery, poisoning, shooting and attack by domestic pets.

Dave Risley, who along with his late wife Annette, were the founders of Folly Wildlife Rescue
Dave and Annette Risley, were the very much-loved and inspirational founders of Folly Wildlife Rescue in Tunbridge Wells -Credit:Folly Wildlife Trust

Folly Wildlife Rescue centre is one of the most modern facilities of its kind in the country. It was founded in 1993 by Dave Risley, a former head keeper at London Zoo and his wife Annette, from the garden of their home in Eridge. It is now managed by their daughters Liz and Hannah, with a largely volunteer workforce.

Auction hope from Sandra Beck

The centre in Fairview Lane specialises in the hand-rearing of mammals, including hedgehogs, badgers, foxes, mice, rabbits and even deer, as well as nestling and fledgling birds of all species - although the hospital has taken in more exotic non-native species in its time, including a racoon and a vulture.

A potential lifeline has been given to the trust by patron Sandra Beck, the widow of the late rock guitarist Jeff, who lives nearby. Shortly before he died, Jeff received a 12-bottle case of Old Stinkhorn Organic Ale from his friend and former Beatle, Sir Paul McCartney.

Folly hopes to auction the beer, named after the eponymous fungus at hop-picking time, as part of a series of emergency fund-raising measures. It said Dave Davies from The Kinks, was also "highly active in his support".

Hollywood star Johnny Depp was seen cuddling up to a badger at Folly Wildlife Rescue in Kent.
Hollywood star Johnny Depp was seen cuddling up to a badger -Credit:Folly Wildlife Rescue/Facebook

Depp cuddled a badger

And a massive boost - along with a bit of Hollywood glamour - came in 2022 when actor and musician Johnny Depp visited the hospital and became a patron. Depp's visit - during which he famously cuddled a badger- caused Folly's Instagram following to surge from under 6,000 to more than 26,000 within 12 hours.

Another celebrity patron is renowned wine critic and TV personality Jilly Goolden who got to know Folly when they were called to help with a fallow deer she had rescued after it had been caught on a fence in the Ashdown Forest.

Folly Wildlife Rescue receives no funding from any local authority or the Lottery. It relies entirely on public donations, grants, legacies and fund-raising activities. The facility will be featured on Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Club programme on ITV in early November.

Adorable little dormouse tucking in - but caring Folly Wildlife Rescue in Tunbridge Wells will close by end of the year if it can't raise £250,000 -Credit:Folly Wildlife Rescue
Adorable little dormouse tucking in - but caring Folly Wildlife Rescue in Tunbridge Wells will close by end of the year if it can't raise £250,000 -Credit:Folly Wildlife Rescue

How can I support Folly Wildlife Rescue?

Members of the public wishing to support the rescue centre should visit JustGiving here or Folly's donate page here

Folly Wildlife Rescue centre - Annette's Memorial Garden
Folly Wildlife Rescue centre - Annette's Memorial Garden

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